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I was in the hospital about 3 weeks ago and diagnosed with hepatitis C after treatment for about 1 week and a half went home health dept come to house told me I may have TB called back 30 min. after she left and said she called some people and i dont have TB. But called a couple days later said I have MACs which i researched and it is related to TB, hep. C and HIV. I dont really know they haven't told me anything just that I need to be put in hospital for about 21 days for treatment. Shouldnt they let me know if im HIV or if its the hep or what. Am i contagious. I dont know and confused.

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3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Hi my name is BennyI was in the hospital about 3 weeks ago and diagnosed with hepatitis C after treatment for about 1 week and a half went home health dept come to house told me I may have TB called back 30 min. after she left and said she called some people and i dont have TB. But called a couple days later said I have MACs which i researched and it is related to TB, hep. C and HIV. I dont really know they haven't told me anything just that I need to be put in hospital for about 21 days for treatment. Shouldnt they let me know if im HIV or if its the hep or what. Am i contagious. I dont know and confused.

yes, there are many people who test positive or Hepatitis C but DON'T have HIV, so you can have one without the other.

I'm not sure, but they may be telling you have have Mycobacterium Avium Complex infection, which is caused by a bacteria that can normally exist in the lungs WITHOUT causing an infection, but can cause lung problems in older people (over 65), smokers and folks with HIV. It is also a bacteria that's in the family with TB. But I'm unsure why they would tell you to come back in the hospital for 21 days for treatment.

And if it is MAC, you won't be infectious to anyone who has an immune system that is intact. If its tuburculosis in the lungs, however, they would treat you for much longer than 21 days, and yes, you could be infectious to others if you are coughing.

Unfortunately, its hard to make a diagnosis on here and reassure you - I'm unsure what the details are, but please make sure you ask the doctors who are managing this all the questions you can so that you understand clearly what is going on.

yes, there are many people who test positive or Hepatitis C but DON'T have HIV, so you can have one without the other.

I'm not sure, but they may be telling you have have Mycobacterium Avium Complex infection, which is caused by a bacteria that can normally exist in the lungs WITHOUT causing an infection, but can cause lung problems in older people (over 65), smokers and folks with HIV. It is also a bacteria that's in the family with TB. But I'm unsure why they would tell you to come back in the hospital for 21 days for treatment.

And if it is MAC, you won't be infectious to anyone who has an immune system that is intact. If its tuburculosis in the lungs, however, they would treat you for much longer than 21 days, and yes, you could be infectious to others if you are coughing.

Unfortunately, its hard to make a diagnosis on here and reassure you - I'm unsure what the details are, but please make sure you ask the doctors who are managing this all the questions you can so that you understand clearly what is going on.

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